Chapter 2
I woke to the sound of birds chirping and bugs buzzing. I looked around at the place that I had spent the night, remembering the events that had occurred. Tears welled up in my eyes but I refused to show weakness not even if I was alone. I got to my feet, regaining my balance. I picked up my swords and stood for a second, reveling at what once was. I took one step forward, then another, and was soon on my way to my old home.
I walked all day through the jungle, but finding no end to the confusing landscape, settled down for the night.
When I woke it was already midday. I squinted up at the sky, relaxing for just a minute. That minute was enough for my stalker. I heard the footsteps too late and realized my mistake. A sharp stick was at my throat within 5 seconds. i was looking into the eyes of a farm boy.
"What are you doing here?" he asked. "Well, actually," I answered, "I was just sleeping and walking through but I guess that was too much for you." He took a long look at me, and then took the stick away from my aching throat.
"Well I guess I should thank you, but I'd rather keep that to myself," I said. I grabbed my swords from my back and brought them up and around his throat, "If you tell anyone you saw me here I will hunt you down and kill you."
I looked at him long and hard, until he nodded his head. I estimated he was around my own age, but nowhere near as good as I was with a sword. "Why are you here," he asked me looking distractedly at my sharpened swords.
"That is none of your business," I replied, taking my weapons from his throat. He gulped and rubbed his neck. I looked down at myself and realized I was disgustingly dirty. I looked back at the boy and took a leap into the nearest tree and climbed my way up. I was looking for a stream, when I heard the whistle of arrows coming my way.
"Argh! Come on!" I yelled to no one in particular. I leaped, arching my back and lifting my arms. I dived down onto a much smaller tree and crouched down. An arrow zipped by my head and I turned to see 2 blue eyes staring back at me from the shadow of the trees. I leaped off the branch, grabbing on to another one and swinging from it, I kicked the man in the face, sending him sailing to the bottom of the jungle floor. As I watched him fall I saw another figure in the distance, balancing on a protruding branch. I jumped up the tree trunk and climbed to the top. I glanced behind and below me, just in case. I flew to the next tree, landing gracefully, watching the unmoving figure as I approached. I landed on the branch behind the man, silently. I saw him turn his head in my direction and punched him in the face. Once again I realized my mistake too late.
The boy I had met earlier was falling to his death. I grumbled to myself then leaped off the branch folding my arms into my sides. I dived, I met the boy half way to the ground, grabbing him around the waist. I pulled him close, grabbing onto the nearest branch I could manage with my free arm. I groaned with the strain, not letting go. I may be a woman but I was just as strong as a Prince of Persia.
The boy in my arms began to come around. He struggled with my grip, but as soon as he saw who I was his struggling stopped. "This is becoming too much of a coincidence," I told him, my muscles screaming from the pain. I groaned and whined a little. He realized my struggle and grabbed onto the branch, taking some of his weight off of me. I let go of his waist and swung myself onto the branch, crouching to save my knees from the impact. He climbed up quite clumsily, but he did in fact get up on his own. The place on his face where I had punched him, distorted his handsome features, but not for long. I didn't think I hit him that hard, I only wanted to knock him off the branch.
"Gods," he said, "That hurt! Why did you punch me?" "You looked, to me, like one of my assailants, I am sorry," I replied smugly. He looked down at his feet.
"Yeah… I am also sorry. I saw you fighting that man off and it fascinated me. I didn't think a woman, as lean as you, could fend off a man as big as he," he said.
"Yeah I get that a lot, especially from my par—" the word caught in my throat as I spoke. He looked at me, confused.
"Your parents?" he asked. "Y-Yes.." I told him. I looked off into the trees. I wondered what he did to get here and how he did it.
"I have a couple questions for you," I said, "Did you follow me through the trees? If so how did you?" I looked at him questioningly. I knew I really shouldn't trust anyone in this situation, but he gave me the feeling that I could and should.
"I've grown up here. I know this jungle better than anyone. I grew up leaping from the trees and diving to another. Much like you just did. And yes I have followed you, but not as an enemy." I cocked my head as he continued. "I was on my way to a farm I was too visit when I heard the screaming and yelling. I think it was actually your voice. I ran off into the woods knowing I didn't have long before someone came speeding down the road. I climbed the nearest tree and sat there to watch. I saw a man in robes, concealing his face and head, galloping down the road on a chestnut mare. That is when I saw you run off into the jungle. You looked completely distressed, so I decided to follow you. I stayed in the same spots you stayed in, until I finally caught up to you." He finished, out of breath.
"Ah.." I said, "you must be skilled to keep up with the Princess of Greece." He looked up stunned and asked, "Your name?"
"Athanasia," I answered him. "Yours?"
"Alex." He answered. "Now I have a question for you."
